WORKING WOMEN, PILOBOLUS and More Set for The Joyce Theater's 2013 Spring/Summer Season

The Joyce Theater announced the programming for its 2013 Spring/Summer Season featuring extraordinary international companies, including two festivals, one focusing on Nordic dance and the other on American ballet choreographers.

The season opens with an exciting week shared by Séan Curran Company and Working Women, a showcase highlighting the diverse talents of female choreographers. Ice Hot,a two-week festival devoted to Nordic dance, will feature Tero Saarinen Company, Danish Dance Theatre, and Carte Blanche, three of the hottest contemporary companies performing today. Speaking of contemporary companies, the acclaimed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago appears as well. An eclectic mix of New York-based companies - Buglisi Dance Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico, and RIOULT Dance NY, all of whom have appeared often at The Joyce, is on the roster, along with audience favorites Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, DanceBrazil, Stephen Petronio Company, and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company will take the Joyce stage, and Flamenco VivoCarlota Santana, also celebrating its 30th anniversary, is on tap, too. Khmer Arts Ensemble, the renowned Cambodian troupe, will appear in a stunning production set to a mesmerizing percussive score. The season heads into summer with the return of Ballet Tech's fun-filled Kids Dance and performances by the astounding Savion Glover before Pilobolus comes back for its four-week run. Late August features Ballet v6.0, a new festival recognizing choreographers who are creating work outside the traditional large ballet company milieu.

Following is a complete roster of companies who will be appearing at The Joyce Theater during the 2013 spring and summer season.

Acclaimed for his wit, ingenuity, and uncanny physical humor, Seán Curran began his career as a champion Irish step dancer, went on to become a leading dancer (and Bessie Award winner) with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and later became a STOMP! cast member. For its 15th Anniversary season, the company arrives at The Joyce with two New York City premieres. Fireweather, set to "The Mission of Virgil," a Charles Wuorinen score for two pianos inspired by Dante's Inferno, is informed both by the literary roots of the music and by visual art, ranging from the vibrant watercolors of William Blake to the grotesque engravings of Gustave Doré. The second premiere, Left Exit, examines spirituality, faith, and religion and includes recorded spoken word drawn from texts that illuminate the clash between secular reasoning and organized religion.

Working Women, the spectacular one-night only concert from last summer's Gotham Dance Festival, returns to The Joyce for an expanded four-performance run that features pieces created by some of America's most intriguing and beloved female choreographers.

Buglisi Dance Theatre's passionate dancing and sublime theatricality speak to the visceral strengths and vulnerabilities of humanity. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary season, the company will perform Artistic Director Jacqulyn Buglisi's signature work Suspended Women, along with company favorites Caravaggio Meets Hopper and Runes of the Heart. The two programs, with live music featured on both, also include three world premieres. This is Forever is set to a rhapsody performed live by composer Steve Margoshes; Snow Falling on Water, exploring the mystery and secrets of growing up in Brooklyn, is set to a tender score by Andy Tierstein; and Butterflies and Demons is set to music by Daniel Bernard Roumain. Nacho Duato solo excerpts from Arenal are a season highlight.

Heralded by The New York Times as "a modern dance savior," Ronald K. Brown captures spirituality through a rapturous dance vocabulary that unites movement with song. This season, he and his company take the Joyce stage with two powerful programs. Program A features the world premiere of Torch, a fervent dance in celebration of the late Beth Young, along with audience favorite Incidents, danced to the music of Aretha Franklin, Wunmi, and the The Staple Singers. Also on the program--Two Year Old Gentlemen, a 2008 work performed to live music by Mamadouba Mohammed Camara. Program B features the full-length work Walking out the Dark, performed to the infectious music of Sweet Honey in the Rock and Francisco Mora, and Upside Down.

Martha Graham Dance Company presents "Myth and Transformation" -- three compelling programs that explore how artists reinvent iconic stories to make searing contemporary statements. Performances include a new production of Graham's erotic masterwork, Phaedra, along with other Greek-themEd Graham classics such as Cave of the Heart and Night Journey. The centerpiece of the season will be The Show (Achilles Heels), a highly provocative interpretation of the Achilles legend created, choreographed and directed by Richard Move, and originally commissioned by the White Oak Dance Project. The work features an original score by Arto Lindsay with songs by Deborah Harry and Blondie and scenic art by Nicole Eisenman. The New York premiere of Doug Varone's Lamentation Variation, a haunting quartet set to Ravel, are also featured.

For two weeks, Nordic contemporary dance at its best comes to The Joyce in this delightful festival focusing on Tero Saarinen Company, Danish Dance Theatre, Carte Blanche, three of the hottest companies performing anywhere today.

Six years after their triumphant debut, Tero Saarinen and his company come back to The Joyce with inventive contemporary choreography, poetic movement language, and masterful use of music and visuals, all of which create a profoundly moving experience.

Saarinen himself will mark the centenary of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring with his widely praised signature solo HUNT, hailed as one of the most significant reinterpretations of this timeless work. The program also includes the US premiere of Scheme of Things, an emotionally charged, technically demanding group work exploring the complexities of human relationships.

Ice Hot continues fabulously with Danish Dance Theatre performing Love Songs, a sensual, evening-length piece by British-born, Artistic Director Tim Rushton (MBE - Member of the order of the British Empire), who has created an intimate portrait of love in a jazzy universe.

The music, composed of cherished jazz classics from the good old days originally sung by legendary artists Ella, Louis, Billy, and Sarah, is reinterpreted by Denmark's great jazz artist Caroline Henderson. A work that is both warm and intimate, Love Songs reveals the lifelong journey to find love as the piece moves from scenes of dingy realism to kitschy night club cruising.

Carte BlancheMarch 15 - 17Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm & 7:30pm

For Corps de Walk, co-creators Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar set their eyes on the corps de ballet who traditionally form the pale backdrop behind the prima ballerina. But in this work, beautifully executed by Carte Blanche, the Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance, Eyal and Behar rip off the tutus and force the dancers' heels down to earth. They pulsate in a raw, organic unit that regularly breaks into military positions set to the music of Debussy, to mechanical outbursts of the German industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten's, and to friendly passages from David Byrne's warped backyard. With ice cool stares from the alternately beautiful and grotesque apparitions, Corps de Walk creates a visual and musical journey of pounding beats.

For over three decades, the infectious Afro-Brazilian rhythms, pinpoint precision, and sheer power of DanceBrazil performances have astonished audiences around the world. This spring, the company returns to The Joyce with a premiere by Artistic Director Jelon Vieira and the return of Imfazwe, a powerful meditation on war, combat--and dance. As always, Capoeira, the mesmerizing martial art with an African beat, and live music drive the action on stage.

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company commemorates thirty years of creativity and impact with Play and Play: an evening of movement and music, two special programs focusing on the pleasure of musicians and dancers working together. The Orion String Quartet joins the company. Program A includes D-Man in the Waters, Jones's joyous, award-winning work not seen in New York since 2002; Continuous Replay, with a score of deconstructed Beethoven string quartets; and Spent Days Out Yonder, set to Mozart's Prussian Quartet No. 23. Program B features new works set to Schubert's string quartet Death and the Maiden and Ravel's String Quartet in F. Programs contain nudity.

Led by acclaimed choreographer and dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, whose cutting-edge classicism makes you feel as if you've crossed over to another world, Khmer Arts Ensemble will perform the New York premiere of A Bend in the River, a tale of love, heartbreak, magic, vengeance, consequence and redemption. The stunning production includes a live performance of a richly percussive score by composer Him Sophy and playful, life-sized puppets by sculptor Sopheap Pich. Khmer Arts Ensemble's appearance at The Joyce marks the opening of The Season of Cambodia Festival, a multi-disciplinary arts festival produced by Cambodian Living Arts, a Phnom Penh-based organization, in partnership with many of New York and Cambodia's leading cultural institutions.

"Dancing better than ever" (Backstage), Ballet Hispanico celebrates its 25th season at The Joyce with a vibrant snapshot of contemporary Spanish dance. Program highlights include a world premiere by Cayetano Soto, one of the most dynamic and ground-breaking Spanish choreographers of his generation, and the Joyce premiere of an homage to 1980s Europop created by the cutting-edge Spanish duo Inma García and Meritxell Barberá. The Joyce premiere of Danzón by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro and rousing repertory gems further showcase the multidimensional company.

Stephen Petronio Company presents the world premiere of LIKE LAZARUS DID, an evening-length work inspired by the mythology of resurrection. Petronio and his powerhouse dancers explore notions of transformation and rebirth with their trademark "visceral thrill...unlike anything offered by other contemporary choreographers" (The New York Times).

Collaborators include composer Son Lux, performing live with members of Music; The Young People's Chorus of New York City (Francisco Núñez, Director); visual artist Janine Antoni; and lighting designer Ken Tabachnick.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet's Joyce season features works by three of today's most influential dance creators. Iconic choreographer and former Nederlands Dans Theater Artistic Director Ji?í Kylián opens the program with Indigo Rose, a dazzling showcase for the risk-taking Cedar Lake dancers. Crystal Pite, the Frankfurt-based Canadian choreographer, follows with Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue, and to conclude the evening, the company presents a New York premiere by provocative Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis. Indigo Rose contains partial nudity.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to The Joyce with all the exuberant, athletic, and innovative technique that has contributed to its reputation as one of the country's leading contemporary dance companies. The company's Joyce season will consist of two programs and will feature works by some of the most important choreographers on the international scene-- Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, and Aszure Barton. Audiences will also have the chance to see Recall, a Joyce commission created by former Hubbard Street dancer Robyn Mineko Williams.

In celebration of its 30th Anniversary season, Flamenco VivoCarlota Santana, the only USA/NYC based flamenco company to reach such a milestone, comes to The Joyce with a program featuring the finest dancers and musicians from New York and Spain. The artists perform company co-founder Roberto Lorca's signature work Luz y Sombra. Also on the program-new works by the vibrant flamenco dancer and choreographer Angel Muñoz.

RIOULT Dance NY's return to The Joyce features a world premiere set to live music by Michael Torke. This internationally acclaimed American modern dance company continues to captivate audiences with Pascal Rioult's compelling choreography and his dancers' extraordinary technique. Also on the program, Prelude to Night, a surreal journey through time and space; the shimmering On Distant Shores; and Rioult's signature work, Bolero.

The kids are back! Ballet Tech's Kids Dance returns to the stage with Eliot Feld's newest ballet, UPSIDE DANCE. Featuring thirty-seven crazy, wonderful dancing kids from the Ballet Tech school, UPSIDE DANCE will charm you and then some. These amazing ragamuffins will also dance the exuberant Meshugana Dance and the fabulous A Stair Dance, and special guest Wei-Chia Su will perform Zeppo, an intermission in three acts inspired by the Marx brother nobody knows. So grab the kids and the in-laws and thrill to the pizzazz of dancing kids. The June 13th opening night Gala will celebrate and support the Ballet Tech school, with four solos by Eliot Feld - three of them new - and, of course, dancing from the kids. Tiler Peck* will revive the 1976 Impromptu, Wu-Kang Chen will premiere One Dances, Kaitlyn Gilliland will dance the premiere of Inwit, and Wei-Chia Su will premiere the second act of Zeppo, an intermission in three acts. *Tiler Peck appears courtesy of New York City Ballet.

Under the direction of Savion Glover, Savion Glover's STePz is another exuberant celebration of tap dance to sound and sound to dance. In this production, Mr. Glover and his ensemble of dancers (TLHS) take tap dance to new heights while fusing traditional music selections of the past with his self-proclaimed tap style and energy of the future. The production demonstrates Mr. Glover's incredible ability to perform the complexities of jazz phrasing--both bass line and melody--as well as wild improvisations-- structure and deconstruction--from departure to return. This season, Savion Glover's STePz will again give Joyce audiences the opportunity to experience the versatility and virtuoso of Savion Glover's genius as a tap master.

Pilobolus presents two new and exciting works for the upcoming season. The first premiere is a collaboration with music video director and choreographer Trish Sie, whose most recent work with Pilobolus, Skyscrapers - a quick-change color tango - was one of last summer's hits. The second premiere promises further frontiers as the company collaborates with masters in the field of illusion. The season also features many favorite works from the company's more than forty years of inventive repertory.

BALLET v6.0August 6 - 17Tickets: $10-$39 (Joyce members: $10-$29)

The Joyce has designed this ballet festival to recognize the many dancers and choreographers who are creating work outside the traditional large company milieu and are forming their own small companies. Featured are companies from across the US, whose work represents a range of ballet styles, from neo classical to contemporary.

BalletXAugust 6 & 7 at 7:30pm

BalletX unites world-class choreographers and dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. The vision of its award-winning founders and artistic directors, Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, BalletX challenges the boundaries of classical ballet by encouraging experimentation while preserving rigorous technique. Evidenced by the company's repertoire of over thirty world premieres, BalletX is committed to bringing The Combined visions of nationally and internationally renowned artists to life and to cultivating a collective appetite for bold new dance.

Dominic Walsh Dance TheaterAugust 8, August 10 at 8pm

Launched by Dominic Walsh, a Houston Ballet principal dancer for over a decade, the company presents innovative works that entertain audiences with visual stunning performances. The program for its Joyce debut features Camille Claudel, inspired by the tragic life of the brilliant 19th century sculptor, and appropriately constructed from a movement vocabulary that speaks of an emotion or state of being captured and maintained in stillness for deeper observation and absorption.

Company C Contemporary BalletAugust 9 at 8pm; August 10 at 2pm

Company C Contemporary Ballet, praised for its "thrilling...high velocity dancing" (San Francisco Chronicle), makes its Joyce debut with a program full of fresh, innovative choreography that embodies the athletic prowess, emotion, intelligence, and humor that have kept it at the forefront of Bay Area performing arts for over a decade. Under artistic director Charles Anderson, a former New York City Ballet dancer, the company will present a program featuring works commissioned for its 2013 season, including works by Brian Reader and Patrick Corbin, that will be performed for the first time in New York.

Whim W'HimAugust 12 & 13 at 7:30pm

Founded in 2009 by former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Oliver Wevers, Whim W'Him is a Seattle-based company that describes itself as both "entirely classic and entirely now." For its Joyce debut, the company performs Flower Festival, a re-working of the pas de deux from August Bournonville's 1842 ballet Flower Festival in Genzano, in which Wevers replaces the original male/female dancers and peasant costumes with two men in business suits. The result is neither mockery or parody, but a slightly funny and oddly touching transition of the old into the new. The program also includes Monster, a piece consisting of three duets that explore the inherent monstrosity of society, addiction, and relationships.

Satellite Ballet and CollectiveAugust 14 at 7:30pm; August 15 at 8pm

A marvelous fusion of art forms, the Satellite Ballet and Collective makes its Joyce debut with an evening of works that honor its commitment to complete collaboration. Satellite Ballet and Collective combines sensually athletic dancers from the New York City Ballet with intimately personal choreography, high intensity multimedia graphics and melodic live music. In each work, a group of seven artists, including emerging choreographer Troy Schumacher, multimedia artist Kevin Draper, post classical composer Nick Jaina, photographer Lora Roberts and Dramaturge Nathan Langston present an honest and compelling experience.

Jessica Lang DanceAugust 16 & 17 at 8pm

Having created over 75 works for ballet and modern companies in the last thirteen years, choreographer Jessica Lang's own contemporary ballet company makes its Joyce debut with a diverse program showcasing Lang's acclaimed talent for seamlessly incorporating striking design elements into her emotionally engaging work. Live music adds a rich layer to the first of two NY premieres, From Foreign Lands and People, an elegant, comical ballet set to Schumann's Kinderszenen Opus 15, while i.n.k. incorporates visual artist Shinichi Maruyama's video projections and an original score created from liquid sounds by Jakub Ciupinski.

DANCE CHATS: The Joyce Theater holds free post-performance dialogues with artistic directors and/or company members following the performance on the first Wednesday of each company's engagement unless otherwise noted. These dialogues are open to all audience members attending that evening's performance.

FAMILY MATINEES: Created to help build dance audiences for the future, The Joyce's popular family-oriented performance series will return this spring/summer with three family-friendly matinees, each followed by a special chance to meet the artists. Kids' tickets are only $10. Children who see two of the three family matinees automatically become Joyce Junior Members and save 40% on the price of their tickets ($10 reduced to $6). Children, ages 6-14, must be accompanied by an adult (maximum four kids to one grownup). Joyce Junior Members get a special "Backstage-at-the-Joyce" tour, a T-shirt and gift coupons.

This spring/summer season's Family Matinee series is as follows (Kids - ages 6-14 - must be accompanied by an adult):§ Khmer Arts Academy - Saturday, April 14 at 2pm§ Flamenco VivoCarlota Santana - Saturday, June 1 at 2pm

DANCE TALKS: The Joyce Theater will continue its popular "Dance Talks" during the upcoming season. These conversations between artists and audiences - moderated by dance scholars, writers, artists and other experts in the field - provide an informal, but in-depth examination of issues shaping dance today.

The following are scheduled for the 2013 Spring/Summer Season:Ice Hot: Tero Saarinen - February 25Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company - March 10Khmer Arts Academy - April 1

"Dance Talks" are free and take place at DANY Studios (305 West 38th Street at 8th Avenue). Reservations are required and can be arranged by calling (646) 792-8377.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, has proudly served the dance community and its audiences since 1982. The founders, Cora Cahan and Eliot Feld, acquired and renovated the Elgin Theater in Chelsea, which opened as The Joyce Theater in 1982. The Joyce is named in honor of Joyce Mertz, beloved daughter of LuEsther T. Mertz. It was LuEsther's clear, undaunted vision and abundant generosity that made it imaginable and ultimately possible to establish the theater. One of the only theaters built by dancers for dance, The Joyce Theater has provided an intimate and elegant New York home for more than 300 domestic and international companies. The Joyce has also commissioned more than 130 new dances since 1992. In 1996, The Joyce created Joyce SoHo, a dance center providing highly subsidized rehearsal and performance space to hundreds of dance artists. New York City public school students and teachers annually benefit from The Joyce's Dance Education Program, and adult audiences get closer to dance through pre-engagement Dance Talks and post-performance "Dance Chat" discussions. The Joyce Theater now features an annual season of approximately 48 weeks with over 340 performances for audiences in excess of 135,000.

To become a Joyce Member, ticket buyers simply purchase tickets to four different companies at the same time and they automatically save 25% on tickets (not applicable for $10 or $19 tickets). Joyce Members are entitled to the 25% discount on additional tickets purchased throughout the season - until August 2013. For more information on becoming a Joyce Member, visit www.Joyce.org or call JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800. Single ticket prices range from $10-$59. Tickets can be purchased by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800, in person at the Box Office (Monday - Friday 12-6pm), or online by visiting www.Joyce.org. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street).